Gloveboxes · Glovebox Information

Benefits and Safety of Glovebox Use

Gloveboxes offer numerous benefits to a variety of industries:

• Improve worker safety
• {rotect Materials
• Encourage research and development worldwide

Anyone who works with hazardous materials, including carcinogens, reproductive toxins, or caustic chemicals, may be exposed to these agents in a variety of ways:

• In the air
• On work surfaces
• In contaminated clothing
• On equipment or other surfaces

Toxic materials that are not Air or Moisture sensitive often can be handled in a Fume Hood or similar.

Toxic materials that are Air or Moisture sensitive will require the use of a Glovebox.

Workplace exposures to hazardous materials can lead to numerous health risks, including

• Health effects such as skin rashes
• Adverse reproductive outcomes (including infertility, spontaneous abortions, and congenital malformations)
• Leukemia and other cancers

The health risk is influenced by the extent of the exposure and the potency and toxicity of the hazardous material.

Gloveboxes protect workers by isolating the hazardous materials. Workers have no direct contact with the materials; instead, the materials are placed in a sealed enclosure and accessed only through gloves.

A clean, controlled environment is essential to research and manufacturing environments. Dust, dirt, pollen, skin flakes, lint, and cosmetics can all introduce contamination to your work processes. By isolating materials from outside contamination, gloveboxes provide the clean environment needed in your industry.

Specific features of gloveboxes that reduce the possibility of contamination include the following:

• Airflow that removes contaminants from the material
• Air pressure to keep external airborne particles out of the isolator
• A pass-through system that isolates the interior of the unit from the room when materials are transferred in and out.

While a glovebox requires initial capital expense, it is an economical investment in the long run. With a glovebox, you do not have the expenses of garments and other supplies associated with a clean room. In addition, gloveboxes are easier and more cost-effective to clean and decontaminate.

The cost savings available by using gloveboxes encourages research and manufacturing technologies that require controlled environments. Even companies from countries with lesser developed infrastructures can use economical gloveboxes to research, develop, and manufacture products requiring controlled environment processes. This will ultimately lead to improved quality control, higher yields and profitability, and cost savings that can be passed on to consumers.

Ergonomic Considerations

While gloveboxes offer numerous benefits, they can also be uncomfortable for workers because

• Arms remain extended for long periods of time
• Thick gloves make the user over-compensate on grip strength

Workers using gloveboxes should follow these steps to make glovebox use more comfortable:

• Reduce side reaching by moving all materials from the transfer chamber to the main chamber at one time
• Use hand powder to make gloves more comfortable
• Stand on anti-fatigue matting or use a sit-stand seat
• Take frequent stretch breaks
• Take advantage of auto controls so you can complete other tasks while the glovebox runs through its cycles

Sales and Service Contact your Innovative Technology sales representative at 978-462-4415 or online to discuss how our glovebox systems and accessories can help you meet your application needs.